Kalahari Desert 2015

Visiting South Africa in 2015, we decided to include in our trip a visit to the Kalahari desert. We started our visit flying from Johannesburg to Upington where we entered the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The park straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana and comprises two adjoining national parks:

Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa

Gemsbok National Park in Botswana

The total area of the park is 38,000 km2. Approximately three-quarters of the park lie in Botswana and one-quarter in South Africa.

Kgalagadi means "place of thirst."

Animals that have adapted to the extremely dry conditions in the Kalahari include meerkats, gemsbok, springbok, Kalahari lion, Cheetah, brown hyena, foxes and many othersThe Kalahari's endemic wildlife species have adapted either to survive many days without water or to obtain water from plants. Numerous other birds and mammals utilize the desert, but most are migratory, venturing into the Kalahari only when adequate water is present.

For a photographer, it is a paradise. Normally good views in the open with very special beautiful light. In general birds and animals are not especially shy, which means another great point....

Below a selection of photographs taken during this trip. Hovering over the image you will see a toolbar at the bottom where you can start a slideshow if you wish to do so.